Only Work Sundays - Print

Only Work Sundays
A Laid-Back Guide to Doing Less While Helping Your Church Thrive

By Liz Miller

Reclaim sustainable, joyful ministry by embracing rest as a spiritual strength rather than overwork as a proof of devotion.

This book will help you:

• Let go of exhausting expectations and reclaim your true vocational rhythm
• Build a collaborative church culture rooted in trust, not pastor-dependent busyness
• Use “absence” – not as neglect, but as creative space that empowers others
• Reduce burnout and compassion fatigue by embracing rest, not guilt
• Apply down-to-earth strategies for delegation, time‑management, and joyful leadership
• Ground your ministry in theological depth as much as practical sustainability
• Reignite joy and purpose in your calling through guided reflection and storytelling

Features

• Authentically grounded in the author’s own journey through burnout and recovery
• A theology of absence reframed as a powerful form of presence
• Warm, humorous storytelling that resonates with clergy and lay leaders alike
• Compact, accessible guide—perfect for individual reflection or group retreats
• Each chapter includes stories, reflection questions, and practical action steps

Soft cover, 133pp
ISBN‑13: 9780829800272
0.61 cms H x 21.41 cms L x 13.79 cms W (0.26 kgs) 133 pages
Pilgrim Press (The United Church Press), 2023

[Sorry Sold Out]

Description

Burnout and busyness have become default settings in church leadership – beyond productivity, they’ve become spiritual identity.

This guide offers a counter‑rhythm: a fresh theology of “laid‑back ministry,” where saying “less” and resting well aren’t signs of laziness, but radical spiritual gifts.

With warm humor, personal anecdotes, and theological reflection, this book invites you to slow down, set healthy boundaries, and pastor with presence, not pressure.

Each chapter helps you reframe your ministry: start by deconstructing the myth of the overworked leader and move toward prioritizing what truly matters.

Learn to delegate with confidence, cultivate collaborative culture, and manage your time in ways that preserve your soul. You’ll find practical tools – reflection questions, real-life stories, and clear action steps – to apply immediately, whether solo or in team settings.

This is not about doing church on autopilot. It’s about creating sustainable rhythms where ministry can flourish creatively, spiritually, and relationally. Whether you’re worn out by endless demands, feeling joy‑fatigue, or simply yearning for renewed purpose, this guide offers a compassionate, actionable way forward.

It’s a short read, but one with deep implications – for your leadership, your congregation, and your well-being.

About the Author

Liz A. Miller is a pastor at Edgewood United Church of Christ in East Lansing, Michigan. A storyteller, quilter, triathlete, and burnout survivor, she is passionate about creating the margins clergy need to minister well—including guarding “laid‑back” Sundays as sacred, restorative time.

Contents

1. Introduction: Rethinking Ministry Workload

2. The Myth of the Overworked Leader

3. Finding Your Priorities

4. Delegation Without Guilt

5. Building a Collaborative Church Culture

6. Time Management Made Simple

7. Celebrating Success Without Exhaustion

8. Reclaiming Your Joy in Ministry

9. Conclusion: Creating a Sustainable Future

Each chapter includes real‑life anecdotes, reflection questions, and practical actions to pause, reassess, and reframe your ministry rhythm.